Northumberland inn duo make drop from bridge for charity

Ben O’Connell

Two of The Lindisfarne Inn’s key members of staff are facing their fears and taking the plunge off Scotland’s famous Forth Rail Bridge to raise money for charity.

Alan Brier and Anita Mabon will be abseiling down the 165ft drop from the bridge across the Firth of Forth on Sunday, June 12. The Ultimate Abseil event is organised in aid of the Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland charity and has so far helped raise more than £1million.

Anita, assistant manager at the Beal pub, said: “We felt as we are close to the border between England and Scotland, it would be good to support a Scottish charity as if you are taken ill here, the chances are you would be sent over the border.”

Alan, who is head of maintenance at the Inn, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us and we’re really excited – if a little nervous – about it. We’re hoping regulars and visitors to the Inn will sponsor our abseil and help raise funds for this important charity.”

Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland has been organising abseils from the Forth Rail Bridge for a number of years. Abseillers drop free-fall style like the SAS from the bridge on to the sandy beach 165ft below.

Sean Donkin, operations director at The Inn Collection Group, which runs The Lindisfarne Inn, said: “We’re really proud of Anita and Alan for taking on the Ultimate Abseil challenge.

“The Lindisfarne Inn is so close to the Scottish Border and many of our customers are from Scotland, so it’s great to be able to support a Scottish charity. Giving back to the community is important for every business and we’re right behind Anita and Alan. We’ll be signing up to sponsor them and we’d encourage all our guests and visitors to give generously too.”